A Strandwood PTA Publication

DECEMBER 29, 2014

Good Morning

Every week Email Club members receive important information regarding upcoming events and communications from The PTA and Strandwood staff via the Roadrunner. The Roadrunner also provides links to important fliers and new items on the PTA and school websites. Do you have any comments about this Roadrunner or suggestions for future Roadrunner articles or features? Drop us a line at roadrunner@strandwoodpta.org.

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In This Issue

Nutcracker Clothing Returns

Vision Screening Volunteers Needed

Online Spiritwear Orders

Auction Donations

Upcoming After-School Programs

First 2015 General PTA Meeting

Dates, Times and Places

Nutcracker Clothing Returns

The Nutcracker Closet was a great success again this year. We received lots of donations and many families were able to borrow needed items. If you did borrow something from the closet please launder the item, if appropriate, and return it to the Nutcracker Closet collection box outside the MUR. If you have items you would like to donate, those can also be placed in the box as well. We are collecting any items that are used for the basic costumes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Alexandra Kemp at nutcrackercloset@strandwoodpta.org.

Vision Screening Volunteers Needed

The school is asking for 4 volunteer parents to help with the vision screenings that will take place in the school Library on Tuesday January 13th starting at 8:15 am.

If you can volunteer at ANY TIME on that day (even if for just one or two hours), please contact: vpprograms@strandwoodpta.org.

Online Spiritwear Orders

Important! Please read!!

If you have placed an online spiritwear order, please send your order confirmation to vpways@strandwoodpta.org. Due to a clerical error from Spiritwear.com, we cannot match what you ordered to what we received. Please confirm your order by sending it to the above email. Thank you!

Auction Donations

Our annual Dinner Dance Auction event is rapidly approaching. We have reached out to over 600 local and national organizations and have already received a number of great donations. We have found, however, that the best donations come from within our school community. There are literally hundreds of ways to help: rental houses, timeshares, airline miles, professional services, baked goods...and that's just to name a few.

If you are ready to donate or have questions, please contact Molly McCabe: president@strandwoodpta.org. In order to be included, we need your donation by March 1, 2015. Thank you!

Upcoming After-School Programs

Hurry and sign up before it's too late!

NEW! DRAWING - Comic Book Creations!! Sign up for fun and creative classes in making your very own comic book from start to finish! Drawing and storyboarding are made simple through step-by-step examples. Each student will create his or her own complete comic book in this adventure of character drawing and storytelling. Click here for the program flyer and details.

Grades: 2 - 5
Day/Time: Fridays 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Class Dates: Jan 23-April 3 (no class on school holidays)
Location: Strandwood Classroom C-7
Cost: $126 + $15 (lab fee)

To Register: (925) 676-8400 Village Center for the Arts

NEW! LEGO ENGINEERING - Class is FULL!

NEW! YOGA FOR KIDS - Village Center for the Arts! Classes are designed to engage junior yogis through postures perfect for kids. Fitness and fun for the mind and body! Click here for the program flyer and registration information.

Grades: 2-5

Day/Time: Mondays, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Dates: Feb 2 - March 23 (no class on school holidays)

Location: Strandwood MUR

Cost: $112 + $15 lab fee (includes yoga mat)

To Register: Call (925) 676-8400

SPANISH -Viva el Espa�ol - New January 19 start date!

It is time to register for the winter session. It runs from January 5 - April 2, on Mondays and Thursdays at the same times as it did in the fall.

Register online by clicking here. Keep in mind that we need a minimum of 6 students per class in order to hold the classes.

Click here for the flyer and program details.

STAGE PLAY - A Playground for Imaginations

Stage Play Drama Club aims to spark creativity, build theatre skills and grow your child's confidence. An empathic, positive environment will encourage creative risk-taking and self-expression will flow. No prior theatre experience is necessary.

Winter Sessions Starting in January - Enrollment is open!
Cost: $150 (sibling discount available)
TK/K (1/20-3/10) - Tuesdays 1:50pm to 2:40pm
1st - 3rd (1/21 - 3/11) - Wednesdays 12:30pm - 2pm

Spring Session for 4th/5th Graders is open for registration as well!
Dates: 4/15-6/3 on Wednesdays 12:30pm - 2pm
Click here for the flyer and registration form.

FLAG FOOTBALL - One on One

After-school flag football is back for the winter session.Your kids will learn the fundamentals of passing, catching, throwing, offensive and defense strategies, teamwork skills, and sportsmanship! All levels welcome, both boys and girls.

Day: Tuesdays
Date: 1/20 - 3/31 (11 weeks)
Cost: $130 for 11-week class
Time: 3:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Strandwood Field (upper grade area)
Grades: 1st -5th (boys and girls)

Click here for the flyer and program details.

HIP HOP/JAZZ DANCE - Fit Kids America

Your child will learn the basic dance techniques of two very popular dance styles, Hip Hop and Jazz. Age appropriate songs and routines are utilized. The children will perform for you on the last day of class.

Day: Tuesdays
Dates: 1/13/15 - 3/10/15
Cost: $95
Time: 3pm - 4pm
Location: Strandwood MUR
Grades: K-5

Click here for the flyer that includes the online registration information and form.

CHESS - The Berkeley Chess School! The after-school Chess program will continue during the winter sessions. Click here for program details and the registration form.

Grades: K-5
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 12:35pm - 1:35pm
Dates: Jan 7 - March 25
Location: Strandwood C-1 & P-2 (meet in C-1 on 1st day)
Cost: $150

Use the link above to access the registration form or enroll online at: www.berkeleychessschool.org.

GIRLS ON THE RUN! 3rd - 5th grade girls join this non-competitive, curriculum-based and fun running program dedicated to educating and building confidence in girls. Get moving with friends while learning important life skills, learn about yourself and help your community! Complete the 5k Run at the end of the session in San Francisco on May 9th (family and friends can run with you too). Click here for the program details and flyer.

Grades: 3rd, 4th & 5th (girls)
Day/Time: Mondays & Fridays | 3:00pm-4:15pm
Dates: Feb 23 - May 11 (2 days / week)
Location: Strandwood Upper Kids Blacktop area
Cost: $225 (includes 20 sessions, 5k entry fee, t-shirt, water bottle & snacks)

Registration opens January 6th on the Girls on the Run website: www.gotrbayarea.org.

QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF STRANDWOOD's AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS? CONTACT: vpprograms@strandwoodpta.org

IMPORTANT! Each of these programs needs a parent volunteer

(except Girls on the Run). In order for these programs to take place, we need a parent volunteer to be present at the program sessions (no participation necessary, just be present in case of emergency and to help oversee things). The volunteer parent must be: 1) PTA Member (Pd. PTA Dues of $7.50) and 2) cleared through the district (TB Tested and fingerprinted). Please email vpprograms@strandwoodpta.org if you can help. If a program doesn't have a parent volunteer, that program will be cancelled.

First 2015 General PTA Meeting

Change in time!

The first general PTA Meeting of 2015 will be held on Thursday, January 8th, immediately following drop off at 8:15 am in the MUR. We will have an overview of the PTA events and programs occurring in the second half of the year and will be highlighting some of the areas where we could use some help. We hope you can join us. Babysitting will not be provided, but well behaved younger siblings are welcome to attend.